When it comes to sequels with “Revenge” in the title, Revenge of the Savage Planet is far removed from the dark second-act tone that the word usually implies. Instead, this follow-up to 2020’s Journey to the Savage Planet turns the dial up: it’s wilder, bigger, and takes players across four lush alien planets to explore, catalog creatures and plants, and uncover the game’s many secrets. It’s a chaotic genre mashup primarily a sci-fi action-adventure with Metroidvania elements, but also featuring puzzle-solving, survival crafting, creature collecting, and even a bit of Animal Crossing-style decoration. As in the first game, combat remains the weakest link, but in nearly every other area, the sequel improves.
A Wacky Sequel with a Fresh Perspective
Ironically or perhaps unsurprisingly the story of Revenge of the Savage Planet is influenced by the real-world development of the game. Typhoon Studios, developer of the first game, was acquired by Google in 2019 shortly before release, intended for Stadia. When Stadia flopped, the studio was shut down. Former team members formed Raccoon Logic, reclaimed the Savage Planet IP, and created this sequel complete with a story that pokes fun at corporate incompetence.
Players control a nameless intergalactic colonist waking from 100 years of cryosleep, only to find they now work for Alta Interglobal, a holding company that bought their old employer, Kindred Aerospace, and promptly fired them. Stranded in a strange solar system, your goal is clear: get revenge on your former employer and somehow make it home.
The game’s biting corporate humor lands differently when you know its backstory. The overall tone remains bright, cheerful, and never too serious. Whether lampooning CEOs in quirky FMV segments or sending you to neon-colored planets filled with bizarre alien creatures, the game shines when satirizing corporate absurdity. By the end, the narrative occasionally drifts into self-referential commentary on game design, but this doesn’t diminish the fun leading up to that point. The new third-person perspective suits the absurd tone: your character waddles, runs, and kicks furry creatures in a Looney Tunes–style chaos, slipping on goo and emerging unharmed—a silly but fitting mechanic.
Satirical Story Meets Absurd Gameplay
Switching to third-person slightly reduces the Metroid Prime–like feel of the original, but platforming elements gain in prominence. All four planets are vertically structured, requiring jumps across floating rocks or descents into underground caves. Early on, you only have a double jump, but upgrades like a grappling hook, stomping attack, and diving gadgets expand your mobility. Exploration is rewarding: each world is handcrafted, varied, and filled with secrets. Progression feels satisfying, whether through health and stamina upgrades, new gadgets, or uncovering Alta’s shady corporate dealings. Often, a side path distracts you from your main objective, encouraging curiosity without penalizing the player.
The planets themselves are visually distinct, each with unique biomes and ecosystems that interact independently of the player. Stellaris Prime, for instance, recalls the first game’s planet and hosts a base in the swamps of “Nu Florida” with a fully customizable apartment and 3D printer for upgrades. Subsequent planets, like the desert Xephyr or the volcanic-ice Zenithian Rift, offer unique environmental challenges.
The new “Power Hose” gadget adds creative problem-solving: colored slime can be collected and sprayed to trigger different effects purple conducts electricity, green ignites, red deals damage allowing you to solve puzzles or dispatch enemies. Combat, however, remains lackluster. Outside slime-enhanced interactions, your small laser gun feels toy-like, making fights frustrating. A new mechanic lets you capture enemies instead of killing them, which is faster and occasionally grants cosmetic rewards, but it doesn’t redeem the underwhelming combat.
Despite this, Revenge of the Savage Planet remains a delightful, carefree adventure, whether played solo or in co-op (online or split-screen). It’s more confident and varied than its predecessor, excelling in comedy and level design. Combat is still the weak point, but gadget use, puzzle-solving, and exploration provide abundant entertainment. It’s clear that Raccoon Logic enjoyed every minute of bringing this zany universe to life.
Verdict
Revenge of the Savage Planet invites players to explore a colorful, satirical world. The shift in perspective, abundance of collectibles, gadgets, and co-op options make it a fun, engaging trip across alien planets, even if combat remains a minor flaw. For fans of quirky, exploration-driven adventures, this sequel delivers a joyfully chaotic experience.